MINUTES OF THE PLANNING AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

HELD AT EPPING HALL ON TUESDAY 8th APRIL 2008

 

 

PRESENT:                Councillors: K. Avey (Chairman), Miss O D Dunseath (Vice Chairman), J.A. Smith,

                                                         R. Macrae and J. Lewis.

 

IN ATTENDANCE:   Councillor Mrs J Hedges

 

 

OFFICER:                  Bob Whittome  (Town Clerk)

 

 

 

444.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor N Hines, who is on holiday, and Councillor Miss M Starling for business reasons.

 

445.    CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

 

Committee RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the meeting on 25th March 2008.

 

446.     DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

No Member declared any interest in an item of this agenda.

           

447.     REPORTS AND INFORMATION NOT REQUIRING A DECISION OF COMMITTEE

 

The Clerk advised Members in respect of a letter from EFDC about permit holders in the Bakers Lane car parks and the new parking being provided to Essex County Council employees behind the library. The letter advised Committee that a review of the permit situation would go forward should the application relating to Essex County Council’s parking be approved.

 

The Clerk advised Members of a letter from EFDC planning which related to McCarthy & Stone and Section 106 payments.  The letter stated that no further requests for Section 106 payments in relation to that application could now be made and a £400,000 Section 106 payment had already been agreed with McCarthy & Stone for the purposes of providing affordable housing.  The letter also outlined contact details should this Council wish to request a community payment in some form.

 

The Clerk advised Members of a message from Higgins, the builders, which related to their development of the recreation playing field land at St John’s School for residential purposes.  The Clerk will keep Committee advised in respect of this matter.

 

448.     PLANNING APPLICATIONS

 

Five applications for planning permission were considered and the plans inspected and, in addition, two appeal notifications were considered. 

 

EPF/0451/08

(Revised Appl)

The Thatched House Hotel

Mr D Demitriou

1 no. proposed bedroom with wheelchair access

Committee object to this application because the extension is overdevelopment of the site.  Committee also express concern at the loss of parking on the site which is at a premium for this kind of facility.  Committee wished to point out that the Disability Discrimination Act has been in force for a number of  years and many alterations have been made to this site during that period.  The Disability Discrimination Act should have been incorporated in one of the earlier phases of development.  However, notwithstanding these points, compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act should still be investigated by less radical methods that will not result in increased congestion or further overdevelopment at this site.

 

 

EPF/0516/08

(Revised Appl)

 

11 Sunnyside Road

Avrum Forest

Erection of replacement dwelling and residential development to rear to create a total of 5 no. dwellings.

Committee object to this application. The elevated position of much of this site means that particular care needs to be given to the overall effect created by the proposals.  The density of the proposed development suggests a considerable loss of amenity to neighbouring properties from noise issues including parking activities.  The proposed arrangements (in spite of revision) still give rise to an overdevelopment of the site and loss of amenity to neighbouring properties.  The increased pressure from parking and access to the proposed development will also create new highway problems.  Overall, Committee still consider this proposal a gross overdevelopment of a small site and will only support a proposal of a more limited nature.

 

 

EPF/0525/08

(Revised)

9 Buttercross Lane

Mr Gary Grimley

Proposed two storey side extension, single storey front extension and rear ground floor conservatory

Committee had no objection to this application.

 

 

EPF/0546/08

 

29 The Drummonds

Mr Keith Wilkinson

New garden wall with gates

Committee had no objection to this application.

 

 

EPF/0559/08

 

24 Station Road

Mr M Simyab

Two storey rear extension with front and rear dormers

Committee object to this application.  Committee understand the benefits of expanding the accommodation, however, any proposals should contribute more to the street scene.  Consideration should therefore be given to a design which is more in keeping with current properties in this area,  and does not overdevelop the site. The amenities of residents in Rahn Road must also be protected by not providing an overbearing and overlooking development.

 

 

APPEAL NOTIFICATION

EPF/2179/07

 

Land  adjacent to Broadbents, Buttercross Lane.

A J Poulton (Epping Ltd

Erection of no. 1 two storey house.

Committee resolved to make no further comments on this matter.

 

 

APPEAL NOTIFICATION

EPF/2403/07

(Revised Appl.)

 

9 Ravensmere

Mr & Mrs Flynn

Ground floor and first floor extensions, new hipped roof with front and rear dormers and replacement front porch

Committee resolved to make no further comments on this matter.

 

 

 

449.     EFDC PLANNING DECISIONS

 

Committee NOTED  the decisions of Epping Forest District Council Area Planning Sub Committee East.

 

GRANTED:

 

EPF/0101/08

 

EPF/0120/08

 

EPF/0169/08

 

EPF/0299/08

 

EPF/0212/08

(Renewal of EPF/2158/02 with amendments)

 

 

REFUSED:

 

EPF/0126/08

EPF/0167/08